When Nurse Dani Sutton had an opportunity to go to State University for postgraduate studies in medicine, she jumped at the chance. At State a whole new world opened to her, a world of bright, happy young people, far removed from the pain and poverty she had seen at run-down Community Hospital And handsome young Professor Slade Davis wanted her there, too — permanently.
Then Dani got a letter with just one sentence in it, and her safe world turned upside down. The letter was from Dr. Barney Conrad, and it said, “When are you going to start being a nurse again?” And Dani had to decide which life held her loyalty and which man held her heart.
Here is the story of the courageous young women who served at Pearl Harbor, Corregidor, Anzio, Battle of the Bulge, Iwo Jima, and other fighting fronts of the Second World War.
Dana Brooks decided to sit in the railroad station for a while and watch the people. Her bus out of Syracuse left at a little after two o’clock and it was only a few minutes past one. Then, too, it seemed impossible to get a taxi right now. Perhaps a bit later it would be easier. Anyway, it was fun watching people — especially in railroad stations. She liked to imagine their possible destination — their business and even their families. In Sedgewick she knew everyone and everyone knew her. There were no mysteries and no strangers. If a stranger did happen to appear he didn’t remain one long.
Now right over there was an interesting pair — evidently mother and daughter. The older woman was nervous and unsure while the girl — Dana was certain she was no older than she was herself — looked as if she held the world by the tail. From time to time she urged her mother to relax; but it was evident her advice fell on deaf ears. And a group of college students — boys and girls having a wonderful time just being together. Their laughter brought a smile to more than one face. She wondered about the stout young woman in a much too tight fur jacket trying unsuccessfully to make a small boy quiet down. But the lively youngster ran about inspecting everything and everyone.
A train was called and porters, laden with luggage, hurried through the gates while crowds surged after. The big station began to appear quite empty and Dana considered the possibility of obtaining a cab. Suddenly a tall young man carrying an important-looking brief case dashed through a street door followed by a porter with his bags. He swerved to avoid the stout young woman and immediately sent the small boy sprawling. A howl rent the air and Dana gasped and glared at the hurrying traveler who stopped long enough to yank the lad to his feet while at the same time his hand went into his pocket and came out full of jingling coins which he pressed into the crying youngster’s hands. The noise stopped as if by magic and the young man continued on his way. His amused and very blue eyes met Dana’s indignant brown ones and as he passed he said cynically:
“Don’t worry, sister. He’s all right. Money has miraculous power — to heal the hurts of this world.” He waved in the general direction of the casualty and raced after his vanishing porter.
She was sworn to professional secrecy — then found the patient she’d been called to nurse was the man she had thought was in love with her!
Linn looked over at the man in the bed. He was lying with his face turned to the wall. He was asleep, she thought, or in pain, because he did not turn his head when they came in.
Dr. Jacoby bent over the bed. “Awake or asleep?” he asked, bending over the patient. “Ah not asleep. I brought your nurse. A pretty girl with a pretty name, Linn. Linn Morgan.”
Linn stood beside Dr. Jacoby, leaned forward and held out her hand. On her face was the smile of welcome, of cheer, the smile that was automatic.
The man lying there turned his head.
Linn stood with her hand still out-stretched, the smile frozen on her lips. She stood paralyzed for the eternity of a moment, aware of Dr. Jacoby’s startled look.
She was known as Nurse Sanders at the Club where only the super rich and most famous people were allowed to become members. How could she get Captain Joseph Mackenzie to realize that she could never be one of them?
They were the glamorous super-rich–could she help heal their broken lives?
Caring for an overindulged young socialite at the wealthy Chanticleer Club, Nurse Erda Sanders soon finds a new romance among “the beautiful people” — as well as plots and counterplots threatening not only her principles but lives!
A few things…
My niece, Elisabeth, is getting married tomorrow. If you want to find me at the reception tomorrow night, I’ll be the dashing, devil-may-care playboy standing in the parking lot with a white, double-breasted dinner jacket, a cravat, and slack arms.
A according to a 2005 report from the Internal Revenue Service, you need to earn at least $100.3 million in Adjusted Gross Income to be counted among the “super-rich.”
And, finally, I leave you with an early draft of a song by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.
Erda
The most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.
Erda, Erda, Erda, Erda…
All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word:
Erda, Erda, Erda, Erda…
Erda, Erda…
Erda!
I’ve just met a girl named Erda,
And suddenly the name
Will never be the same
To me.
Erda!
I’ve just kissed a girl named Erda,
And suddenly I’ve found
How wonderful a sound
Can be!
Erda!
Say it loud and there’s music playing —
Say it soft and it’s almost like praying —
Erda…
I’ll never stop saying
Erda!
Erda —
Say it loud and there’s music playing —
Say it soft and it’s almost like praying —
Erda —
I’ll never stop saying Erda!
The most beautiful sound I ever herd —
Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrda.
